Syrniki with basil and mozzarella
Description
Perfect with tea or coffee. These syrniki are unlike the usual ones made from cottage cheese alone. The added mozzarella gives them a creamy, pleasant taste. Fresh basil’s aroma complements the finished syrniki beautifully and will especially appeal to basil lovers. The extra toppings I suggest serving with them will turn your breakfast, dinner, or snack into a real masterpiece. This dish is for true gourmets. Serve chilled or slightly warm.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare all necessary ingredients. For proper cottage cheese pancakes that hold their shape and don’t spread across the frying pan, choose dry cottage cheese — this is important. If you don’t have fresh basil, substitute dried basil.
- 2
Step 2
In a suitable bowl, place the cottage cheese, add salt to taste, and crack in an egg. Mix the cottage cheese with the egg.
- 3
Step 3
Add semolina to the cottage cheese mixture and stir.
- 4
Step 4
Remove the mozzarella ball from the whey, tear it into pieces, and add to the cottage cheese mixture. Cut the basil leaves into thin strips, add them to the mixture, and mix thoroughly. Let the cottage cheese mixture rest for 10–15 minutes so the semolina can swell.
- 5
Step 5
When the resting time is up, shape the syrniki. If the portions don’t hold their shape well, coat them lightly in flour.
- 6
Step 6
Pour oil into the pan, heat it, lay in the prepared pieces and fry over low heat, 3–4 minutes per side, covered with a lid.
- 7
Step 7
For serving, slice the tomato into rounds and arrange on a plate. Top with garlic cut into thin slivers. Sprinkle with dried oregano and drizzle with balsamic sauce. Add syrniki to the plate, garnish with basil leaves, lightly drizzle with olive oil, and season with freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately!